Matthew Stafford’s future with the Los Angeles Rams is currently up in the air as him and the organization have been unable to agree on a deal that works for both sides to continue their partnership.
They are expected to meet at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis this week to hammer something out but if they are unable to do so, a trade could be a real possibility.
Recent reports have indicated that the Rams gave Stafford and his agent permission to speak with other teams to gauge what the value of a new contract would look like.
In doing so, it has been revealed that the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Las Vegas Raiders are teams with legitimate interest in Stafford, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated:
The teams you’d suspect would have their hat in the ring have, indeed, thrown their hats in the ring. The New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders and others have shown interest.
What’s hard to know now, though, is what the Rams would be willing to take to part with Stafford. If it’s a first-round pick, would the aforementioned teams still be willing to do a deal at more than $50 million per year? And if that first-round pick is in the top 10, as is the case with three of the aforementioned four teams, would the Rams be willing to take a 2026 pick instead of one this year? And if not, how in the world do the Rams fix this with Stafford?
Stafford generating interest around the league is no surprise considering how many teams are desperate for a franchise quarterback.
The issue that Stafford may run into, however, is none of these teams really give him a better chance to compete for a Super Bowl than the Rams, if that is what he is looking for here.
Perhaps he can use them as leverage though as if the Rams are not willing to pay him what he feels he is worth, there clearly are other teams willing to do so.
Rams looking for first-round pick in Matthew Stafford trade
If the Rams do indeed decide to part ways with Matthew Stafford, reports indicate they would be looking for first-round draft compensation in a trade.
All of the above interested teams have first round picks, some near the top of the draft, so it would be interesting to see who is willing to offer their top pick to L.A. and who isn’t if it gets to that point.
